The Federal High Court in Lagos has sentenced a 31-year-old bricklayer, Rasheed Bolaji, to two years imprisonment, for selling Cannabis Sativa, in the Ikoyi custodial centre of the Nigerian Correctional Services.
Justice Abimbola Awogboro sentenced Bolaji on Friday following his guilty plea to a two-count charge of trafficking and unlawful dealing in 5.3 kilograms of Indian hemp brought against him by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
Prosecution counsel M. I. Erondu, who reviewed the facts of the case, said Bolaji was arrested with the banned substance, which he was selling, on December 2, 2022, at the NCoS’ Ikoyi Centre.
She said the offence contravened and was punishable under sections 11(b) and 11 (c) of the NDLEA Act, 2004.
Erondu prayed the court to sentence the bricklayer under sections 274(2) and 375 of the Administration of the Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015.
Bolaji however pleaded for mercy, saying it was the first time he was selling the banned weed. He promised not to engage in any crime if given a second chance.
The Defense Counsel, Bolanle Kolawole, also told the court that the defendant was a bricklayer and pleaded for mercy in sentencing him.
She also prayed the court to award an option of a fine instead of a custodial sentence.
Nation
